Animal Care Professional, Alabama Wilds

SUMMARY

The Alabama Wilds Department at the Birmingham Zoo consists of a variety of animals native to Alabama. Species in the area range from Non-dangerous to Dangerous and consist of Black Bears, North American River Otters, Cougars and Bobcats, in addition to a variety of Birds and domestic barn animals. The Animal Care Professional is a full-time position responsible for the primary daily husbandry activities of these animals with a demonstrated good working knowledge of animal care and welfare. ACPs will also work collectively with other Zoo employees and assist in presenting to the public an environment that is educational, entertaining, and serves to further the mission of the Birmingham Zoo.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Displays and demonstrates the basic biology, behaviors and husbandry of the animals in their department in the daily routine.
• Cleans and maintains animal holdings, including the use of chemical agents and special tools to assure the health and safety of the animals.
• Uses proper techniques in shifting animals on their assigned routine.
• Identifies, recognizes and reports any abnormal behavior of all the animals in their department.
• Monitors weather related needs for the animals in their department and shelters animals appropriately.
• Identifies, documents, and properly communicates any animal medical problems to the Zoological Manager and Veterinary staff in a timely manner.
• Uses classical and operant conditioning with the animals in their department.
• Utilizes the Environmental Enrichment Program and the enrichment requirements of the animals within their department. Properly records the results of enrichment by using the Enrichment Approval and Evaluation forms.
• Properly utilizes the animal record keeping systems within the department.
• Responsible for capturing, crating, and transferring animals using appropriate restraint and handling techniques designed to put the least amount of stress on the animal.
• Prepares and presents Public Animal Talks to Zoo visitors and guests.
• Actively plays a key role in resolving any animal-related emergencies or drills that occur within the zoo regardless of which animal area the emergency is in.
• Assists in training new staff members including seasonal staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

SAFETY

The ACP is expected to maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures. The ACP position is impacted by a wide variety of potentially hazardous exposures:

• Depending on assignment, the ACP will have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
• The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous or may carry zoonotic diseases.
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning and disinfecting agents.
• Weather conditions including: extreme heat, cold and storm conditions.
• The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

Animal Care Professionals, as with any staff member of the zoo, are required to be familiar with the Zoos overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to their manager.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear.
• Routinely lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Exposure to wet surfaces and slippery surfaces.
• Required to wear a face mask and/or other personal protective equipment for long periods of time.
• Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected.